Everyone has their go-to sneaker. Whether it’s a classic Converse or Kanye West’s infamous Yeezy 700s, we’ve all got that one silhouette that we prefer or a model that we keep going back to.
But have you ever wondered what the rest of the world thinks? We sure have, that’s why we’ve ranked the most popular sneakers on the planet to see which brand and style reigns supreme. Has your look made the list?
The Most Popular Sneaker Brands in the World
The sneakerhead community is, hands down, one of the most passionate and loyal communities out there, each having their favourite brand that they live and die by. With underdogs such as New Balance beginning to steal some of the limelight, we decided to take a look at the most trending searches to pit them against each other to crown the ultimate market leader.
Each country has their own particular preference, with Nike booming in Belgium (amongst many others), New Balance hot in Hong Kong, and adidas on top in Turkey.
Nike Is the Number One Sneaker Brand
It might not come as a surprise to see Nike ranking in the top spot. They’ve been producing iconic footwear since 1964, including the likes of the Nike Air Max 270 and the Nike Air Force 1. Any sneaker superfan will have a pair of Nikes in their wardrobe, or two, or three. We won’t judge.
It’s another Nike brand that comes in as the world’s second most popular, this time with Air Jordan. Named after iconic basketball superstar Michael Jordan, they were first made exclusively for him in 1984, only going on sale for the public one year later. The first model was banned by the NBA, but many, many new editions later, they’ve become a high flying brand the world over.
adidas comes in third, putting a halt to the Nike monopoly. Founded by Adolf Dassler in 1924, the first products the brand released were made in his mum’s house. Now they’re worth an estimated $25 billion dollars. Mother would be proud.
The Silhouettes the World Can’t Get Enough of
A sneaker’s silhouette is what defines it. The curve of the heel, the pop of the tongue, high-top or not; it all makes a huge difference to your overall look and how you wear it.
Nike again comes out on top here, with the Nike Air Force 1 setting the pace. This distinctive, streamlined silhouette is unmistakable, making it perfect for both court performance and street style.
In second place it’s the Nike Air Jordan 1, another basketball sneaker that has flown off the courts and into mainstream fashion, while the Nike Air Max 270 completes the top three.
The Yeezy 700 is Kanye’s highest entry, backed by numerous celebrity endorsements and the unique, highly sought-after “Wave Runner” colourway which helped kicked off the dad shoe revolution back in 2017.
The United States of Sneakerheads: Every State’s Favourite Sneaker
Every state has a style it’s proud of, and that’s no different when it comes to sneakers. Our map shows which brand is thriving where, highlighting how some are dominating (hi Nike) while others are on the rise.
Our research shows that while Nike still rules the roost with the Air Force 1, a new rival is challenging them for the title. Yeezy has quickly become a firm favourite in the states with the recent addition of the part sneaker, part sandal silhouette Slides listed as the second most searched for sneaker in the US. They sold out on the day they were released after a huge media push, and it might not be long before we see them becoming The States’ favourite.
Out of the top 10 silhouettes, five are belonging to Nike, with the likes of the Air Max 97 and Air Max 90 showing how one brand can truly dominate the market. There are late appearances for Vans Slip On and the New Balance 574, while adidas appears once in our hit list with the Ultra Boost.
Nike Sneakers Rule Supreme
It’s clear which sneaker brand everyone is talking about right now, and that’s Nike. We can’t remember a time when they weren’t kings of footwear, with their incredible collections, celebrity endorsements and groundbreaking collaborations keeping them relevant, on-trend and effortlessly cool.
Nike don’t make a bad pair of sneakers; style is in their DNA, but some of their looks prove more way more popular than others. Virgil Abloh’s Nike Dunk collaboration is one of the most hyped with a range of distinctive looks making every street a catwalk. Stüssy x Nike is the second most in-demand, with the rugged Gore-Tex wrapping up the top three collections from the brand.
Partnerships are what help make the brand so successful. Just looking at their top 10, you can see the likes of Kendrick Lamar and Travis Scott featuring heavily, while they even teamed up with a Netflix show to release the Stranger Things range.
Now Trending: The Sneakers on the Rise
Fashion changes, and with so many new styles being released by both big and independent brands, sneaker styles change too. If you believe what many in the know are saying, 2021 will be the year of the Dunk, and with a 204% increase in searches, who are we to disagree?
The New Balance 327 also looks to be on the way up, with the classic-meets-contemporary look having seen a 245% increase in interest recently.
However, it’s Yeezy that people just can’t stop talking about. The Yeezy Slides seem to be taking the world by storm at the moment, which could be why they’re experiencing a 400% increase in interest. It’s a fresh look from a trending brand, backed by some of the biggest names in sports, music and entertainment. Will you be sliding your feet into a pair soon?
Stay on Trend With Our Latest Sneaker Collections
We stay on top of all the latest sneaker trends to help you ensure your feet never look out of style. We’ll show you what’s hot, what’s getting warmer, and where you can buy all the best looks for the best price.
While Nike is on top today, we’ll show you what’s coming up tomorrow.